Across the galaxy, the Clone Wars are raging. The Separatists, led by Count Dooku, the onetime Jedi and now secret Sith Lord, continue to press forward, and more and more worlds are either falling, or seceding and joining the cause. Under the leadership of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, the Republic heroically battles on, championed by its huge army of cloned soldiers and their Jedi generals. Anakin Skywalker, believed by some to be the prophesied “Chosen One” destined to bring balance to the Force, is now a Jedi Knight under the tutelage of his Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Death is a constant possibility–and his chances of survival aren’t improved by the unexpected arrival of an apprentice: Ahsoka, a brash, inexperienced fourteen-year-old Padawan apprenticed to Anakin. But there’s no time for Anakin to question his latest orders: He and Obi-Wan have been assigned a new mission, and failure is not an option. Jabba the Hutt’s precious infant son has been kidnapped, and when the frantic parent applies to the Jedi for help, it falls to Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and their clone troops to track down the evidence and retrieve the missing Huttlet. And more is at stake: For a grateful Jabba just might allow the Republic access to the Hutt-controlled space lanes that the Grand Army desperately needs in order to beat the Separatists into submission. But the Republic is not the only power that craves access to those space lanes. Count Dooku, determined to win the prize for the Separatists, has set a trap for the Jedi. When they find the Huttlet, they will also find Dooku’s master assassin, Asajj Ventress, and countless legions of battle droids waiting to spring a trap. The blazing new animated feature film Star Wars: The Clone Wars takes place in the years preceding Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and sets the stage for the groundbreaking TV series. Both contain all original material–direct from the brilliant imagination of legendary Star Wars creator George Lucas. And these exciting new adventures and characters are being brought to life in book form by none other than #1 New York Times bestselling Star Wars author Karen Traviss. Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!

Step inside the Lucasfilm art departments for the creation of fantastical worlds, unforgettable characters, and unimaginable creatures. The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens will take you there, from the earliest gathering of artists and production designers at Lucasfilm headquarters in San Francisco to the fever pitch of production at Pinewood Studios to the conclusion of post-production at Industrial Light & Magic--all with unprecedented access. Exclusive interviews with the entire creative team impart fascinating insights in bringing director J.J. Abrams's vision to life; unused "blue sky" concept art offers glimpses into roads not traveled. Bursting with hundreds of stunning works of art, including production paintings, concept sketches, storyboards, blueprints, and matte paintings, this visual feast will delight Star Wars fans and cineastes for decades to come. The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the definitive expression of how the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga was dreamed into being. ALSO AVAILABLE FROM ABRAMS IN SPRING 2016: The Making of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Mark Cotta Vaz. Forewords by J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy. ISBN: 978-1-4197-2022-2

In the modern world, coming across as bolshie, outspoken and opinionated at a job interview usually guarantees that you are virtually unemployable. However, things are a bit different round at JD Investigations in Glasgow. There, it means that you’re hired on the spot. If you enjoy Tartan Noir with a double shot of humour, join young Annie James as she begins her new job, working as a summer intern with Jack Davidson. However, she quickly finds out that this temporary gig is completely different from all the mind-numbing, zero-hours contracts she has endured since leaving college. Having at last found a job where she is encouraged to use her brain, she takes on the considerable challenge of trying to drag her new employer, an old-school private detective and confirmed technophobe, screaming and kicking into the 21st century. Jack instructs Annie in the dark arts required to be an effective private eye and she, in turn, uses her youthful enthusiasm and IT skills to try to help his failing business. Then an old case from Jack’s past life, when he was a detective sergeant with Glasgow CID, returns to haunt him when the arsonist and killer Thomas Burke is unexpectedly released from prison. Swearing vengeance against the cop who put him away for eighteen years, he draws the two new partners into a deadly battle of wits where the psychopath always seems to be one step ahead. They are forced out of the city to a temporary safe haven on the scenic Solway coast, where they re-group and then return to Glasgow, ready to confront Jack's nemesis head on.

From the creative minds behind your favorite modern-day comics ... In this unprecedented, behind-the-scenes guide, former Marvel editor and current IDW senior editor Andy Schmidt and his superstar industry friends give you the inside track on creating engaging, professional-looking comic books. Written for upcoming creative stars and comic book enthusiasts, The Insider's Guide to Comics and Graphic Novels covers the entire creative process from beginning to end, from fine-tuning a script to the nuances of camera angles, costume design and lettering. You'll learn not only how to emulate a camera pan, hit 'em with a splash page and shift into slow motion, but also WHEN and WHY to dip into that bag of graphic tricks for maximum impact. The real-world guide to creating great comics! Profiles and insights from John Romita, Jr., Neal Adams, Gene Ha, David Finch and John Byrne Professional advice from top talents in the business, including writers Brian Michael Bendis, Geoff Johns and Tom DeFalco; inkers Klaus Janson, Karl Kesel and Mike Perkins; colorist Chris Sotomayor; and letterer Chris Eliopoulos Expert instruction on every element of the creative process - writing, drawing, inking, coloring, page layout and scene design - and how they all work together

An acclaimed artist whose illustrations have appeared on a rich spectrum of eye-catching book covers, Dave Seeley is one of the most exhilarating illustrators working in the science fiction/fantasy genre. A self-confessed “image junkie,” Seeley absorbs a huge amount of visual material when seeking inspiration for his pieces. He then creates his final illustrations using a broad range of artistic methods, merging together elaborate digital backgrounds, images of live models and hand-built props, and exquisite pencil drawings and paintings. The results are astonishing, as Seeley seamlessly forges these disparate artworks into imagery of unparalleled imagination, scope, and beauty. The Art of Dave Seeley brings together the very best of his work, encompassing the worlds of literature, movies, video games, and beyond. Renowned for his hugely evocative Star Wars book covers, including the iconic Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor wraparound jacket, Seeley has also created art for such properties as Halo, Battlestar Galactica, Aliens vs. Predator, The Fast and the Furious, and the popular Deathlands novels. This deluxe volume showcases Seeley’s diverse body of work with over 200 images from throughout his career, while also offering fascinating insights into his process and creative drive. Visually stunning, comprehensive, and utterly compelling, The Art of Dave Seeley is a unique journey into the creative world of a master of genre illustration.

Captain Phasma made her triumphant return in Star Wars The Last Jedi - now journey back to the final moments of Star Wars The Force Awakens and the destruction of Starkiller Base, and learn how she escaped her fate! Captured by the Resistance and thrown into a garbage masher, Phasma must escape a doomed world - and plot her revenge! Follow the chrome-adorned warrior from the site of the First Order's biggest defeat to the doorstep of 2017's biggest blockbuster! Written by Kelly Thompson (HAWKEYE, STAR WARS ANNUAL) and drawn by Marco Checchetto (STAR WARS: SHATTERED EMPIRE, STAR WARS: SCREAMING CITADEL), Captain Phasma will recondition you to love the First Order! COLLECTING: JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI - CAPTAIN PHASMA 1-4